Quick and dry coupling

ABSTRACT

A quick and dry coupling for coupling together devices such as fluid lines. One embodiment of the coupling includes a pair of heads in which is provided mating members having mating surfaces for moving the mating members in opposite directions away from one another towards an open position and to permit movement of the mating members towards one another when the pair of mating members are turned in the opposite direction relative to one another, a latch coacting between the heads for selectively being movable to an unlatched position, to an intermediate position, and to a latched position for providing the attached condition of the coupling. Springs are provided for moving the pair of mating members into a closed position in which fluid flow is stopped and the latch is moved from the latched position to the intermediate position. In another embodiment of the coupling the mating members are fixedly held against turning movement relative to one another, and separate cams are respectively operably coupled between the heads and the mating members to cause the mating members to move to an open position upon turning movement of the heads.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part of my application, Ser. No. 07/466,066,filed Jan. 16, 1990, entitled "Quick And Dry Coupling".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to fluid line couplings.

2. Information Disclosure Statement

Various fluid line couplings have heretofore been contemplated forconnecting and disconnecting the ends of fluid lines. One type ofso-called "two-way shut-off coupling" seals both ends of the lineagainst escape of gas or liquid when the coupling is disconnected. Thetypical coupling of this type includes a sleeve, a plug and a socket. Toconnect the coupling, the sleeve is pulled back and the plug is pushedin the socket. To disconnect, the sleeve is pulled back to unlock thecoupling to seal the ends of the line. There are spring actuated valvesin both the socket and plug which engage one another when the couplingis connected to open up the line, and when the coupling is disconnected,the valves seal against seats provided in the socket and plug. In movingfrom the connected to the disconnected position, the valves are notcompletely closed when the movement begins so that after thedisengagement of the plug and socket dripping can occur from any wasteliquid adjacent the proximal ends of the valves before the valves arecompletely closed. None of the prior devices disclose or suggest thepresent invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward providing an improved fluidline coupling which overcomes previous dripping problems when thecouplings are disconnected so that very little, if any, dripping of thefluid takes place.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a quick anddry coupling including a pair of head means for being coupled togetherand in which one of the head means is turned relative to the other toattach and detach the coupling heads relative to one another.

A further object is to provide such a coupling including a pair ofmating means respectively provided in the coupling head means, whichmating means are movable from an open position when the coupling isattached to an intermediate closed position in which the mating meansare completely closed with said movement of the mating means from theopen position to the closed position taking place as a result of theturning of the coupling heads relative to one another and before thebeginning of the unlatching linear movement of the coupling heads in adirection away from one another.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide such a couplingin which the mating means pushes back all the waste fluid when closingand then completely seals off flow from the head means.

A further object is to provide in such a coupling, a check valve that isself-contained therein as opposed to previous coupling devices in whichit was necessary to provide a separate check valve.

A further object is to provide such a coupling which is easy to coupleand uncouple with only a partial turn of the head means.

A further object is to provide such a coupling in which a high rate offlow is possible and in which substantially no flow is through thesprings that activate the coupling.

A further object is to provide such a coupling which includes a pair ofmating means, a pair of helical members and a center post which occupiesall of the space at the joint of the mating means so that little, ifany, fluid remains that might otherwise drip.

A further object is to provide an alternate embodiment which includes anactuating means including at least one cam means operably coupledbetween one of the head means and one of the mating means, at leastanother cam means operably coupled between the other of the head meansand the other of the mating means, and a pair of cooperating connectingmeans respectively provided on the head means for selectively connectingthe head means together for limiting turning movement thereof relativeto one another, but permitting relative movement towards and away fromone another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a first embodiment of the coupling ofthe present invention shown in a detached condition.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken as on a vertical plane through thecoupling showing the coupling of FIG. 1 in an attached condition andwith certain parts of the coupling being shown in elevation for purposesof illustration.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but taken on a vertical planesubstantially perpendicular to the plane on which FIG. 2 is taken andshowing the coupling of FIG. 1 in an intermediate position of thelatching means and an intermediate condition of the coupling.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the helix means of the coupling of FIG.1 shown in a detached condition and shown in connection with certainrelated structure.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the mating means taken as on the line 5--5of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken as on the line 6--6 of FIG. 3 withparts removed for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken as on the line 7--7 of FIG. 3 withparts removed for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the coupling of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is an end view of one of the mating means of the coupling of FIG.8 taken as on the line 9--9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a portion of one of the head means of thecoupling of FIG. 8 taken as on the line 10--10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the other of the mating means of thecoupling of FIG. 8 taken as on the line 11--11 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a portion of the head means of the couplingof FIG. 8 taken as on the line 12--12 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken as on the vertical plane through thecoupling showing the coupling of FIG. 8 in an intermediate condition ofthe coupling.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 and showing the coupling of FIG. 8in an attached condition of the coupling.

FIG. 15 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of one of the cam means of thecoupling of FIG. 8.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the coupling of FIG. 8 taken as on theline 16--16 of FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The first embodiment of the coupling 11 of the present inventionincludes in general a first head 13 and a second head 15.

Coupling 11 is operable between a coupling detached condition shown inFIG. 1 in which heads 13, 15 are detached from one another and anattached condition shown in FIG. 2 in which heads 13, 15 are coupledtogether.

Heads 13, 15 respectively include body members 17, 19 which, whencoupling 11 is in said attached condition, establishes body means 21.Body means 21 has an inlet 23 at one end thereof (i.e., the remote endof head 15) and an outlet 25 at the opposite end thereof (i.e., theremote end of head 13). It will be understood that for the sake ofclarity the ends of body members 17, 19 which are joined together whencoupling 11 is in said attached condition are herein referred to as theproximal ends of body members 17, 19, whereas the opposite ends of thebody members are referred to as the remote ends thereof. Similarly, theends of heads 13, 15 which are joined together when coupling 11 is insaid attached condition are herein referred to as the proximal ends ofheads 13, 15, whereas the opposite ends of the heads 13, 15 are referredto as the remote or distal ends thereof.

Body means 21 additionally includes a passageway 27 communicating inlet23 with outlet 25 when coupling 11 is in said attached condition forproviding a passage for the flow of liquid through coupling 11, as forexample, along the pathway shown as at 29. Passageway 27 includes afirst passage portion 31 in first head 13 and a second passage portion33 in second head 15.

Heads 13, 15 respectively include openings 35, 37 in the respectiveopposite ends thereof from inlet 23 and outlet 25 (i.e., at the proximalends of heads 13,15). Openings 35, 37 are joined together along theplane shown as at 39 when coupling 11 is in said intermediate and saidattached conditions to provide an intermediate portion 41 of passageway27.

Heads 13, 15 respectively include coacting mating means 43, 45respectively provided on the heads 13, 15 movable between an openposition for providing a space therebetween forming an open part ofpassageway 27 for liquid flow when coupling 11 is in said couplingattached condition shown in FIG. 2 and a closed position for closing offthe flow of liquid from heads 13, 15 when coupling 11 is in saidcoupling detached condition shown in FIG.1 and in said couplingintermediate condition shown in FIG. 3.

Mating means 43, 45 respectively have end faces 47, 49 opposing oneanother and abutting one another along plane 39 when mating means 43, 45are in said closed position. Mating means 43, 45 respectively includemating surface means or cam means 51, 53 for moving mating means 43, 45in opposite directions away from one another towards said open positionwhen mating means 43, 45 are engaged and turned in one directionrelative to one another and for permitting movement of mating means 43,45 towards one another when mating means 43, 45 are engaged and turnedin the opposite direction relative to one another. Also, mating means 43includes a projection 55 and mating means 45 includes a socket 57adapted to receive projection 55.

Mating surface means 51 is preferably in the form of a pair of helixes59, 61 projecting towards socket 57 from end face 47. Mating surfacemeans 53 is preferably in the form of a pair of helixes 63, 65 whichform the surface of socket 57 and which are complimentarily shapedrelative to helixes 59, 61 so that when tho mating means 43, 45 are insaid closed position shown in FIG. 3, all of the space in socket 57 iscompletely occupied by the helixes 59, 61 except for a cylindrical space67 between the helixes 63, 65. This space 67 extends in a longitudinaldirection relative to coupling 11 (i.e., along the longitudinal axisthereof) centrally of socket 57 from the top to the bottom thereof andforms a part of mating surface means 53. Mating surface means 51includes a post 69 centrally thereof between helixes 59, 61. Post 69 isfixedly attached to mating means 43 by suitable means now known to thoseskilled in the art and extends in a longitudinal direction relative tocoupling 11 (i.e., along the longitudinal axis thereof). Post 69 andcylindrical space 67 are complimentarily shaped for sliding reception ofpost 69 by cylindrical space 67 so that when mating means 43, 45 are insaid closed position shown in FIG. 3 the space in socket 57 iscompletely occupied by mating surface means 51 and intermediate portion41 is completely blocked off whereby any waste fluid previously insocket 57 and intermediate portion 41 is expelled therefrom and causedto flow back into passage portion 31 and/or 33.

The inner wall 73 of opening 35 is preferably frustoconical in shape.Likewise, the outer wall 75 of the end of mating means 43 isfrustoconical and shaped to closely slidably fit against inner wall 73.Also, a suitable 0-ring seal 77, well known to those skilled in the art,is provided on outer wall 75 to engage inner wall 73 and seal off anyflow from the end of first head 13 when the heads 13, 15 are detached.

Similarly, the inner wall 79 of opening 37 is preferably frustoconicalin shape. Likewise, the outer wall 81 of the end of mating means 45 isfrustoconical and shaped to closely slidably fit against inner wall 79.Also, a suitable O-ring seal 83, well known to those skilled in the art,is provided on outer wall 81 to engage inner wall 79 and seal off anyflow from the end of second head 15 when the heads 13, 15 are detached.

Coupling 11 includes latching means 85 for coacting between heads 13, 15and for selectively being movable to an unlatched position wherein heads13, 15 are in said detached condition of coupling 11, to an intermediateposition shown in FIG. 3 and to a latched position shown in FIG. 2 forproviding said attached condition of coupling 11. Latching means 85preferably includes a pair of pins 87 attached to one of head bodymembers 17, 19 and extending radially outwardly therefrom in oppositiondirections and a pair of circumferential slots 89 extendingcircumferentially about a portion of the circumference of the other ofthe head body members 17, 19. In the drawings, the pins 87 are shownattached to first head body member 17 and circumferential slots 89 areshown in second head body member 19 but these positions may be reversed,if desired, without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

With the arrangement shown in the drawings, the slots 89 extend througha skirt portion 91 of second head body member 19, and pins 87 areattached to head body member 17 adjacent the proximal end thereof. Apair of entrance slots 93 respectively extend from the distal orunattached end 94 of skirt portion 91 to circumferential slots 89 toprovide an entrance for pins 87 to enter and exit circumferential slots89 during movement of coupling 11 between said detached condition andsaid intermediate condition. Entrance slots 93 are respectivelyperpendicular to slots 89 and extend in a longitudinal directionrelative to body means 21 (i.e., parallel to the longitudinal axisthereof) whereby movement of heads 13, 15 between said detachedcondition and said intermediate condition does not allow turning ofheads 13, 15 relative to one another and mating means 43, 45 remain insaid closed position until pins 87 move in circumferential slots 89, aswill be better understood in the description to follow.

Guide means 95 is operably coupled between latching means 85 and matingmeans 43, 45 for turning mating means 43, 45 relative to one anotherwhen latching means 85 is moved between said intermediate position andsaid latched position, and for guiding mating means 43, 45 in directionsextending away from and towards one another, and when latching means 85is moved from said intermediate to said latched position mating means43, 45 ar moved into said open position.

Guide means 95 includes spline means 97 operably coupled between firsthead body member 17 and mating means 43, and spline means 99 operablycoupled between head body member 19 and mating means 45. Spline means 97preferably includes a pair of splines 101 attached to first head bodymember 17 and respectively slidably received in a pair of slots 103provided in a pair of spaced apart leg portions 105 of mating means 43.It will be understood that the spacing of mating means 43 from bodymember 17 between one pair of leg portions 105 to the other pair of legportions 105 provides a path for the flow of liquid when mating means43, 45 are in said open position. Similarly, spline means 99 preferablyincludes a pair of splines 107 attached to second head body member 19and respectively slidably received in a pair of slots 109 provided in apair of spaced apart leg portions 111 of mating means 45. It will beunderstood that the spacing of mating means 45 from body member 19between one pair of leg portions 111 to the other pair of leg portions111 provides a path for the flow of liquid when mating means 43, 45 arein said open position. The construction of spline means 97, 99 is wellknown to those skilled in the art and permits movement of mating means43, 45 lengthwise of body means 21 in a direction towards and away frominlet 23 and outlet 25 but limits turning movement of mating means 43relative to first head body member 17 and limits turning movement ofmating means 45 relative to second head body member 19.

Inlet 23 is of any suitable construction now known to those skilled inthe art and preferably includes an inlet portion insert 113 which isretained in second head body member 19 by a retainer ring 115 or thelike and a suitable O-ring 117 seals the inlet port insert 113 againstthe second head body member 19. A disk member 119 is seated againstshoulder 121 in second head body member 19 and engages the end of inletport insert 113 and is thereby held in a fixed position relative tosecond head body member 19. Disk member 119 has openings 123therethrough to allow passage of fluid.

A one way check valve means 125, now well known to those skilled in theart, is provided in inlet port insert 113 for preventing flow of liquidout inlet 23 from passageway 27, but permits flow towards outlet 25 whenmating means 43, 45 are in said open position. Check valve means 125includes a spring 127 extending between disk member 119 and the baseportion 129 of check valve means 125 to urge check valve means into aclosed position shown in FIG. 3 wherein an O-ring 131 of the check valvemeans seats against a shoulder 133 to seal off the flow through checkvalve means 125 when the check valve means is in the position shown inFIG. 3.

Outlet 25 is of any suitable construction now known to those skilled inthe art and preferably includes an outlet port insert 135 which isretained in first head body member 17 by a retainer ring 137 or the likeand a suitable O-ring 139 seals the outlet port insert 135 against thefirst head body member 17. Outlet port insert 135 includes an end 141,which is provided with openings 143 for passage of liquid frompassageway 27 out through outlet 25. A spring 145 extends between end141 and mating means 43 and a spring 147 extends between disc member 119and mating means 45 for urging mating means 43, 45 towards one anotherto move the mating means into said closed position in which the fluidflow is closed off as heretofore described when latching means 85 ismoved from said latched position to said intermediate position.

Mating means 43 is limited in its movement towards outlet 25 byengagement of leg portions 105 with outlet port insert 135 and matingmeans 45 is limited in its movement towards inlet 23 by engagement ofmating means 45 with disk member 119.

Suitable means well known to those skilled in the art is provided forattaching desired devices, not shown, such as fluid lines, pumps, tanks,etc. to the coupling 11. For example, suitable threads such as threads151 may be provided as desired.

The operation of the coupling 11 is as follows:

Assume for the purposes of illustration that first head 13 and secondhead 15 have suitable lines or the like respectively coupled to theinlet 23 and outlet 25 and that coupling 11 is in said detachedcondition in which case openings 35, 37 are closed respectively bymating means 43, 45. Assuming further that it is desired then to attachfirst head 13 and second head 15, the first head 13 is moved towardssecond head 15 with pins 87 being aligned with entrance slots 93.Movement of heads 13, 15 is continued to cause pins 87 to respectivelymove through the entrance slots 93 until the pins stop against thebottom wall of circumferential slot 89. At this point, the parts will bein the position shown in FIG. 3 wherein the projection 55 is bottom outin the socket 57 and pins 87 are respectively in alignment withcircumferential slots 89. Next, heads 13, 15 are turned approximately1/4 turn relative to one another in opposite directions about the axisof coupling 11 to cause relative movement of pins 87 through thecircumferential slots 89 until coupling 11 is in a coupling attachedcondition. It will be understood that when the coupling 11 is moved fromsaid intermediate condition to said attached condition, mating means 43,45 will turn relative to one another causing the mating means 43, 45 tomove in opposite directions away from one another towards said openposition shown in FIG. 2 for providing a space therebetween forming anopen part of passageway 27 whereupon fluid is allowed to flow throughthe coupling 11, assuming of course that the pressure differential belowand above the check valve means 125 is sufficient to open the checkvalve means. It will further be understood that when mating means 43, 45are turned as above described the mating surface means 51, 53 are insliding contact against one another and act as cam means to cause matingmeans 43, 45 to be urged endwise in opposite directions, i.e.,respectively towards outlet 25 and inlet 23.

In moving from the coupling attached condition to the coupling detachedcondition, substantially the reverse of the above described operation isaccomplished. It should be pointed out that when the parts assume theposition shown in FIG. 3, i.e., the intermediate position, all flow offluid through coupling 11 will have been stopped and all waste or excessfluid will have been forced back into heads 13 and/or 15 before themovement is made from said intermediate condition to said detachedcondition, i.e., before pins 87 are moved upwardly through the entranceslots 93, thereby assuring that there is substantially no fluid to dripfrom first and second heads 13, 15 during and after the detachingoperation.

A second embodiment of the coupling of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 8-16 and identified by the numeral 2.11. Coupling 2.11 includes ingeneral a first head 2.13 and a second head 2.15.

Coupling 2.11 is operable between a coupling detached condition, notshown, in which heads 2.13, 2.15 are detached from one another and anattached condition shown in FIG. 14 in which heads 2.13, 2.15 arecoupled together

Heads 2.13, 2.15 respectively include body members 2.17, 2.19 which,when coupling 2.11 is in said attached condition, establishes body means2.21. Body member 2.17 includes an insert portion 2.22. Body means 2.21has an inlet 2.23 at one end thereof (i.e., the remote end of head 2.15)and an outlet 2.25 at the opposite end thereof (i.e., the remote end ofhead 2.13). Screws 2.26 hold insert portion 2.22 and the remainder ofbody member 2.13 together.

It will be understood that for the sake of clarity the ends of bodymembers 2.17, 2.19 which are joined together when coupling 2.11 is insaid attached condition are herein referred to as the proximal ends ofbody members 2.17, 2.19, whereas the opposite ends of the body membersare referred to as the remote ends thereof. Similarly, the ends of heads2.13, 2.15 which are joined together when coupling 2.11 is in saidattached condition are herein referred to as the proximal ends of heads2.13, 2 15, Whereas the opposite ends of the heads 2.13, 2.15 arereferred to as the remote or distal ends thereof.

Body means 2.21 additionally includes a passageway 2.27 communicatinginlet 2.23 with outlet 2.25 when coupling 2.11 is in said attachedcondition for providing a passage for the flow of liquid throughcoupling 2.11, as for example, along the pathway shown as at 2.29.Passageway 2.27 includes a first passage portion 2.31 in first head 2.13and a second passage portion 2.33 in second head 2.15.

Heads 2.13, 2.15 respectively include openings 2.35, 2.37 in therespective opposite ends thereof from inlet 2.23 and outlet 2.25 (i.e.,at the proximal ends of heads 2.13, 2.15). Openings 2.35, 2.37 areadjacent one another when coupling 2.11 is in said intermediate and saidattached conditions to provide an intermediate portion 2.41 ofpassageway 2.27.

Heads 2.13, 2.15 respectively include coacting mating means 2.43, 2.45respectively provided in the heads 2.13, 2.15 movable between an openposition for providing a space therebetween forming an open part ofpassageway 2.27 for liquid flow when coupling 2.11 is in said couplingattached condition shown in FIG. 14 and a closed position for closingoff the flow of liquid from heads 2.13, 2.15 when coupling 2.11 is insaid coupling detached condition and in said coupling intermediatecondition shown in FIG. 13.

Mating means 2.43, 2.45 respectively have end faces 2.47, 2.49 opposingone another and abutting one another when mating means 2.43, 2.45 are insaid closed position. Cam means, which will be described in detail laterin the specification, are operably provided between body member 2.17 andmating means 2.43, and between body member 2.19 and mating means 2.45.

Also, a pair of cooperating connecting means 2.50, 2.52 are respectivelyprovided on mating means 2.43, 2.45. Connecting means 2.50 is preferablyin the form of a protrusion 2.54 and connecting means 2.52 is preferablyin the form of a socket 2.56 in mating means 2.45. Socket 2.56 iscomplimentarily shaped relative to protrusion 2.54 and adapted toslidably receive protrusion 2.54. Protrusion 2.54 and socket 2.56 areshaped so that when connecting means 2.50, 2.52 are connected, i.e.,when protrusion 2.54 extends into socket 2.56, heads 2.13, 2.15 areconnected so that heads 2.13, 2.15 cannot turn relative to one anotherbut relative movement towards and away from one another is permitted.Preferably, protrusion 2.54 and socket 2 56 are respectively triangularin cross section with the three sides 2.58 of protrusion 2.54 forming anequilateral triangle and the three sides 2.60 of socket 2.56 alsoforming an equilateral triangle When heads 2.13, 2.15 are in said closedcondition shown in FIG. 13 the space in socket 2.56 is completelyoccupied by protrusion 2.54 and intermediate portion 2.41 is completelyblocked off whereby any waste fluid previously in socket 2.56 andintermediate portion 2.41 is expelled therefrom and caused to flow backinto passage portion 2.31 and/or 2.33.

The inner wall 2.73 of opening 2.35 is preferably frustoconical inshape. Likewise, the outer wall 2.75 of the end of mating means 2.43 isfrustoconical and shaped to fit against inner wall 2.73. Also, asuitable O-ring seal 2.77, well known to those skilled in the art, isprovided on outer wall 2.75 to engage inner wall 2.73 and seal off anyflow from the end of first head 2.13 when the heads 2.13, 2.15 aredetached.

Similarly, the inner wall 2.79 of opening 2.37 is preferablyfrustoconical in shape. Likewise, the outer wall 2.81 of the end ofmating means 2.45 is frustoconical and shaped to fit against inner wall2.79. Also, a suitable O-ring seal 2.83, well known to those skilled inthe art, is provided on outer wall 2.81 to engage inner wall 2.79 andseal off any flow from the end of second head 2.15 when the heads 2.13,2.15 are detached.

Coupling 2.11 includes latching means 2.84 for coacting between heads2.13, 2.15 and for selectively being movable to an unlatched positionwherein heads 2.13, 2.15 are in a detached condition of coupling 2.11,to an intermediate position shown in FIG. 13 and to a latched positionshown in FIG. 14 for providing said attached condition of coupling 2.11.Latching means 2 84 preferably includes a plurality (preferably, 3 innumber) of lips 2.86 attached to one of head body members 2.17, 2.19 andextending radially inwardly therefrom at 120 degree spaced intervals andan equal number of corresponding indentations 2.88 spaced around theother of the head body members 2.17, 2.19 at 120 degree spacedintervals. In the drawings, the indentations 2.88 are shown in the firsthead body member 2.17 and lips 2.86 are shown attached to second headbody member 2.19, but these positions may be reversed, if desired,without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Also, if desired, the latching means 85 of the first embodiment may beutilized in place of latching means 2.84 without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

More specifically, with the arrangement shown in the drawings ofcoupling 2.11, the indentations 2.88 are provided in a skirt portion2.90 of first head body member 2.17, and lips 2.86 are fixedly andintegrally attached to a skirt portion 2.91 of second head body member2.19 adjacent the proximal end of second head 2.15. Each of lips 2.86are preferably provided by deforming the metal at the upper edge ofskirt 2.91 to establish the inwardly arcuate lip, which will split awayfrom the other portion of the skirt 2.91 along the line 2.92 in a mannerwell known to those skilled in the art. There is a stop 2.93 provided toskirt portion 2.90 for engaging one of lips 2.86 to stop the turning offirst head body member 2.17 and second head body member 2.19 relative toone another when latching means 2.84 is in said latched position whereincoupling 2.11 is in said attached condition.

Inlet 2.23 is of any suitable construction now known to those skilled inthe art and preferably includes an inlet portion insert 2.113 which isretained in second head body member 2.19 by a screws 2.114 or the likeand a suitable O-ring 2.117 seals the inlet port insert 2.113 againstthe second head body member 2.19.

A one way check valve means 2.125, now well known to those skilled inthe art, is provided in inlet port insert 2.113 for preventing flow ofliquid out inlet 2.23 from passageway 2.27, but permits flow towardsoutlet 2.25 when mating means 2.43, 2.45 are in said open position.Check valve means 2.125 includes a spring 2.127 extending between thedistal end of a stem 2.128 of check valve means 2.125 and a shoulder2.130 in inlet port insert 2.113 to urge check valve means into a closedposition shown in FIG. 13 wherein check valve means 2.125 seats againsta shoulder 2.133 to seal off the flow through check valve means 2.125when the check valve means is in the position shown in FIG. 13.

An O-ring 2.132 is provided between insert portion 2.22 and the otherpart of first head body member 2.17 adjacent the promimal ends thereofto block off flow of fluid out the proximal end of the first head bodymember. Also, an O-ring 2.134 is provided in the proximal face 2 136 ofsecond head body member 2.19 and the proximal face 2.138 of insertportion 2.22 to prevent flow of fluid outwardly from the space 2.41 whenlatching means 2.84 is in said intermediate position, said latchedposition, and positions therebetween.

A spring 2.145 extends between a shoulder 2.146 on body member 2.17 andmating means 2.43, and a spring 2.147 extends between mating means 2.45and spring retainers 2.148 fixedly provided in inlet port insert 2.113for urging mating means 2.43, 2.45 towards one another to move themating means into said closed position in which the fluid flow is closedoff as heretofore described when latching means 2.84 is moved from saidlatched position to said intermediate position.

In general, the principal differences between the first and secondembodiments of the couplings 11 and 2.11 of the present invention relateto the actuating means for moving the mating means in oppositedirections away from one another when the pair of mating means areengaged and the first and second heads are turned in opposite directionsrelative to one another. In coupling 11 the actuating means includes cammeans 51, 53 respectively provided on mating means 43, 45, and guidemeans 95; whereas in general in coupling 2.11 the actuating meansincludes cam means 2.150 operably coupled between first head 2.13 andmating means 2.43 and cam means 2.152 operably coupled between secondhead 2.15 and mating means 2.45, and the pair of cooperating connectingmeans 2.50, 2.52 respectively provided on first head 2.13 and secondhead 2.15.

There are preferably three sets of cam means 2.150 and three sets of cammeans 2.152 respectively spaced from and equiangularly spaced around thelongitudinal centerline of coupling 2.11. Each of the cam means 2.150,2.152 is preferably identical and the following description of one ofcam means 2.150 will suffice for all. Cam means 2.150 includes a camfollower 2.154 and a cam surface 2.156. Cam follower 2.154 is fixedlyattached to mating means 2.43 and extends radially outwardly therefrom.Cam surface 2.156 is fixedly mounted on first head 2.13, preferably bybeing provided on insert portion 2.22 of first head body member 2.13,i.e. being formed as a part of the surface of the insert portion 2.22,and is engaged by cam follower 2.154. Cam surface 2.156 includes asloping portion 2.158 and a shoulder portion 2.160. For clarity thethree sets of cam means 2.150 and the parts thereof are respectivelydesignated by a single prime mark, a double prime mark, and a tripleprime mark. Similarly, the corresponding parts of the three sets of cammeans 2.152 are so designated It will be understood that cam surfaces2.156', 2.156", and 2.156" of the respective cam means 2.150', 2.150",and 2.150"' are provided on insert portion 2.22 and cam surfaces 2.156',2.156", and 2.156" of the respective cam means 2.152', 2.152", and2.152"' are provided on second head body member 2.19. Also, it will beunderstood that cam followers 2.154', 2.154", and 2.154"' of therespective cam means 2.150', 2.150", and 2.150"' are fixedly attached tomating means 2.43 in equiangular relationship and extend outwardlytherefrom, and similarly cam followers 2.154', 2.154", and 2.154"' ofthe respective cam means 2.152', 2.152", and 2.152"' are fixedlyattached to mating means 2.45 in equiangular relationship and extendoutwardly therefrom.

Suitable means well known to those skilled in the art is provided forattaching desired devices, not shown, such as fluid lines, pumps, tanks,etc. to the coupling 2.11. For example, suitable threads such as threads2.151 may be provided as desired.

The operation of the coupling 2.11 is as follows:

Assume for the purposes of illustration that first head 2.13 and secondhead 2.15 have suitable lines or the like respectively coupled to theinlet 2.23 and outlet 2.25 and that coupling 2.11 is in said detachedcondition in which case openings 2.35, 2.37 are closed respectively bymating means 2.43, 2.45. Assuming further that it is desired then toattach first head 2.13 and second head 2.15, the first head 2.13 ismoved towards second head 2.15 with indentations 2.88 being aligned withlips 2.86 (see FIG. 16). Movement of heads 2.13, 2.15 is continued tocause skirt portion 2.90 of first head 2.13 to move past lips 2.86 tothe intermediate position of latching means 2.84. At this point, theparts will be in the position shown in FIG. 13 wherein the protrusion2.54 is bottomed out in the socket 2.56. Next, heads 2.13, 2.15 areturned approximately 1/4 turn relative to one another in oppositedirections about the axis of coupling 2.11 to cause the non indentededge portions of skirt portion 2.90 to move beneath lips 2.86 until thecoupling 2.11 is in said attached condition (see FIG. 14) which willoccur when stop 2.93 abuts one of the lips 2.86. It will be understoodthat when the coupling 2.11 is moved from said intermediate condition tosaid attached condition, mating means 2.43, 2.45 will not turn relativeto one another due to the engagement of connecting means 2.50, 2.52, butdue to the action of cam means 2.150, 2.152 mating means 2.43, 2.45 Willmove in opposite directions away from one another towards said openposition shown in FIG. 14 for providing a space therebetween forming anopen part of passageway 2.27 whereupon fluid is allowed to flow throughthe coupling 2.11, assuming of course that the pressure differentialbelow and above the check valve means 2.125 is sufficient to open thecheck valve means. It will further be understood that when first head2.13 and second head 2.15 are turned as above described the cam follower2.154 will move relative to cam surface 2.156 and cause relative slidingmovement of the cam follower up sloping surface 2.158 and onto shoulderportion 2.160 whereupon mating means 2.43, 2.45 will be in said openposition shown in FIG. 14.

In moving from the coupling attached condition to the coupling detachedcondition, substantially the reverse of the above described operation isaccomplished. It should be pointed out that when the parts assume theposition shown in FIG. 13, i.e., the intermediate position, all flow offluid through coupling 2.11 will have been stopped and all waste orexcess fluid will have been forced back into heads 2.13 and/or 2.15before the movement is made from said intermediate condition to saiddetached condition, i.e., before skirt 2.90 is moved upwardly past lips2.86, thereby assuring that there is substantially no fluid to drip fromfirst and second heads 2.13, 2.15 during and after the detachingoperation.

It will be understood that in the drawings the spaces between thevarious parts having O-rings therebetween have been exaggerated forpurposes of clarity, but in practice the spaces preferably will benarrower, as for example, due to the squeezing down of the 0-rings underpressure.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated withrespect to a preferred embodiment and a preferred use therefor, it isnot to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made thereinwhich are within the full intended scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A coupling operable between a coupling attached conditionand a coupling detached condition, said coupling comprising:(a) bodymeans including a pair of head means for being coupled together whensaid coupling is in said attached condition and for being detached fromone another when said coupling is in said detached condition; said bodymeans having an inlet at one end thereof and an outlet at the oppositeend thereof, said body means including passageway means communicatingsaid inlet with said outlet when said coupling is in said attachedcondition for providing a passage for the flow of liquid through saidcoupling, said passageway means including a first passage portion in oneof said head means and a second passage portion in the other of saidhead means, said pair of head means respectively including openingsjoined together when said coupling is in said attached condition toprovide an intermediate portion of said passageway means, said pair ofhead means including a pair of coacting mating means respectivelyprovided on said pair of head means movable between an open position forproviding a space therebetween forming an open part of said passagewaymeans for liquid flow when said coupling is in said coupling attachedcondition and a closed position for closing off the flow of liquid fromsaid pair of head means when said coupling is in said coupling detachedcondition; (b) latching means including latching portions respectivelyattached to said head means for coacting between said head means whensaid head means are engaged and turned relative to one another and forselectively being movable to a latched position for providing saidattached condition of said coupling, to an intermediate position, and toan unlatched position for providing said detached condition of saidcoupling; (c) actuating means operably coupled between said latchingmeans and said pair of mating means for moving said pair of mating meansin opposite directions away from one another towards said open positionwhen said pair of mating means are engaged and said pair of head meansare turned in one direction relative to one another to move saidlatching means between said intermediate position and said latchedposition and for permitting movement of said pair of mating meanstowards one another when said pair of head means are turned relative toone another in a direction opposite from said one direction to move saidlatching means between said latched position and said intermediateposition, said actuating means including at least one cooperating cammeans operably coupled between said body member of one of said headmeans and one of said mating means, at least another cooperating cammeans operably coupled between said body member of the other of saidhead means and the other of said mating means, each of said cooperatingcam means including a cam surface and a cam follower, and means forrespectively turning said cam surfaces relative to said cam followers;(d) expelling means in said body means for expelling liquid from saidspace between said pair of mating means and said intermediate portion ofsaid passageway when said pair of mating means are moved from said openposition to said closed position thereof and for completely occupyingany remaining space between said pair of mating means and in saidintermediate portion of said passageway means when said pair of matingmeans are in said closed position; and including seal means coactingbetween said openings and said pair of mating means when said pair ofmating means are in said closed position; whereby when said coupling isdetached there is substantially no drip of liquid from said coupling,said expelling means including a pair of cooperating connecting meansrespectively provided on said mating means for selectively connectingsaid mating means together for limiting turning movement thereofrelative to one another but permitting relative movement towards andaway from one another, one of said pair of connecting means includingsocket means and the other of said connecting means including protrusionmeans complementary shaped relative to said socket means for completelyoccupying said socket means when said heads are in said closed conditionwhereby any waste fluid previously in said socket means is expelledtherefrom; and (e) means urging said pair of mating means towards oneanother for moving said pair of mating means into said closed positionin which the fluid flow is stopped when said latching means is movedfrom said latched position to said intermediate position.
 2. Thecoupling of claim 1 including a check valve means disposed in saidpassageway means for preventing flow of liquid out said inlet from saidpassageway means.
 3. The coupling of claim 1 in which said means forurging said pair of mating means towards one another comprises a pair ofsprings, and in which a major portion of the flow of fluid through saidpassageway means is on the outside of said springs.
 4. A couplingoperable between a coupling attached condition and a coupling detachedcondition, said coupling comprising:(a) body means including a pair ofhead means for being coupled together when said coupling is in saidattached condition and for being detached from one another when saidcoupling is in said detached condition; said body means having an inletat one end thereof and an outlet at the opposite end thereof, said bodymeans including passageway means communicating said inlet with saidoutlet when said coupling is in said attached condition for providing apassage for the flow of liquid through said coupling, said passagewaymeans including a first passage portion in one of said head means and asecond passage portion in the other of said head means, said pair ofhead means respectively including openings joined together when saidcoupling is in said attached condition to provide an intermediateportion of said passageway means, each of said pair of head meansincluding a body member and coacting mating means respectively providedon said pair of head means movable between an open position forproviding a space therebetween forming an open part of said passagewaymeans for liquid flow when said coupling is in said coupling attachedcondition and a closed position for closing off the flow of liquid fromsaid pair of head means when said coupling is in said coupling detachedcondition; (b) latching means including latching portions respectivelyattached to said head means for coacting between said head means whensaid head means are engaged and turned relative to one another and forselectively being movable to a latched position for providing saidattached condition of said coupling, to an intermediate position, and toan unlatched position for providing said detached condition of saidcoupling; (c) actuating means operably coupled between said latchingmeans and said pair of mating means for moving said pair of mating meansin opposite directions away from one another towards said open positionwhen said pair of mating means are engaged and said pair of head meansare turned in one direction relative to one another to move saidlatching means between said intermediate position and said latchedposition and for permitting movement of said pair of mating meanstowards one another when said pair of head means are turned relative toone another in a direction opposite from said one direction to move saidlatching means between said latched position and said intermediateposition; said actuating means including at least one cam means operablycoupled between said body member of one of said head means and one ofsaid mating means, at least another cam means operably coupled betweensaid body member of the other of said head means and the other of saidmating means; (d) expelling means in said body means for expellingliquid from said space between said pair of mating means and saidintermediate portion of said passageway when said pair of mating meansare moved from said open position to said closed position thereof andfor completely occupying any remaining space between said pair of matingmeans and in said intermediate portion of said passageway means whensaid pair of mating means are in said closed portion; and including sealmeans coacting between said openings and said pair of mating means whensaid pair of mating means are in said closed position; whereby when saidcoupling is detached there is substantially no drip of liquid from saidcoupling, said expelling means including a pair of cooperatingconnecting means respectively provided on said mating means forselectively connecting said mating means together for limiting turningmovement thereof relative to one another but permitting relativemovement towards and away from one another, one of said pair ofconnecting means including socket means and the other of said connectingmeans including protrusion means complementary shaped relative to saidsocket means for completely occupying said socket means when said headsare in said closed condition whereby any waste fluid previously in saidsocket means is expelled therefrom, said socket means including sidesjoined together to establish an open ended socket enclosed around thesides thereof; and (e) means urging said pair of mating means towardsone another for moving said pair of mating means into said closedposition in which the fluid flow is stopped when said latching means ismoved from said latched position to said intermediate position.
 5. Thecoupling of claim 4 in which said actuating means includes a first setof three cam means and a second set of three cam means, each of said cammeans of said first set including a first cam surface fixedly mounted onone of said head means and a first cam follower fixedly mounted on oneof said mating means and engaging said first cam surface, and each ofsaid cam means of said second set including a second cam surface fixedlymounted on the other of said head means and a second cam followermounted on the other of said mating means and engaging said second camsurface.
 6. The coupling of claim 5 in which each of said cam surfacesof said first and second set of cam means includes a sloping portion forengaging one of said cam followers to cam said mating means away fromone another, and a flat portion for retaining said head means in saidopen position.